FIVE YEARS HARD

Governor were seen pacing the deck, engaged In
earnest conversation . . . while behind a life-boat
sat the Grenadier and his lady.

'But, your Excellency, although the captain of the
ship and in supreme command, I can't compel a
passenger — even if he is an officer under your
jurisdiction on shore . . . to go to bed at 10 o'clock
and remain In his cabin all night5 the skipper was
heard to say, as he glanced slyly at the lady as
he passed.

'Well, will you keep the coast clear and your
hounds on the look out If she comes to my cabin
for the night?' replied the Governor.

'Ill see what I can do/ promised the skipper.

The subalterns had also heard parts of the con-
versation and concluded that some fun was on
the tapis.

By general consent the Grenadier had been
allowed free access — unrestricted — to cabin No.
69 ... now the situation was changed. His Ex-
cellency the Governor appeared to have forced an
entry into a peaceful scene. All may be fair in
love and war, thought the young soldiers, but
for a jolly old Governor to barge in where a Grena-
dier could only tread seemed asking too much.

They watched.

That night, when all was quiet, a lightly clad
female swiftly slid from 69 to 96 and disappeared.

112